Key Highlights
- ZeroHash submitted an application to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for a National Trust Bank Charter.
- Federal approval would enable ZeroHash to provide stablecoin issuance and digital asset custody under centralized regulatory oversight.
- The proposed trust entity would operate without accepting deposits or providing commercial loans to customers.
- ZeroHash National Trust would focus on blockchain custody operations and related financial services.
- The firm currently maintains money transmitter licenses across 51 U.S. jurisdictions and serves clients in over 200 markets globally.
ZeroHash has submitted an application for a National Trust Bank Charter to the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. The filing occurred on March 4 and represents the company’s effort to secure federal regulatory authority for digital asset operations. The application proposes establishing Zerohash National Trust to oversee custody services, stablecoin activities, and blockchain-based financial infrastructure.
Federal Charter Application Targets Unified Regulatory Framework
The Chicago-based firm filed its charter request with the OCC to establish a nationally supervised trust bank. The proposed structure would place operations under federal regulatory authority. The entity would exclude traditional deposit-taking activities and commercial lending from its business model.
Regulatory approval would grant ZeroHash authorization to issue stablecoins and provide digital asset custody services across all states. Additional permitted activities include staking operations and cryptocurrency-related trade execution. The OCC will conduct a thorough review and solicit public feedback before rendering a decision.
ZeroHash currently maintains money transmitter licenses throughout 51 U.S. jurisdictions. International operations span more than 200 markets worldwide. The current regulatory approach requires compliance with diverse state-level frameworks.
Receiving a national charter would consolidate operations under a single federal regulatory structure. The company seeks to simplify compliance requirements for stablecoin reserves and operational oversight. The filing emphasizes blockchain-based custody as a core service offering.
The firm registered with FinCEN as a Money Services Business. A subsidiary obtained a non-depository trust company charter in North Carolina during 2025. This state charter enables the company to serve as a qualified custodian for registered investment advisors and retirement account providers.
Company Background and Market Position
Edward Woodford and Brian Liston established ZeroHash in Chicago during 2017. The platform delivers backend infrastructure solutions for cryptocurrency and stablecoin integration. The system accommodates more than 100 different digital assets.
The technology stack enables fiat-to-crypto conversion pathways and trading capabilities via application programming interfaces. Additional offerings include tokenization frameworks, payroll solutions, and stablecoin settlement infrastructure. Transaction volume processed through the platform exceeds $65 billion.
Major clients using the platform include Morgan Stanley, Interactive Brokers, Stripe, and Franklin Templeton. The company powers stablecoin conversion and settlement capabilities for Stripe’s payment network. Morgan Stanley’s E*Trade platform leverages the infrastructure for cryptocurrency trading services.
Total funding raised by ZeroHash surpasses $286 million. The company completed a financing round of approximately $100 million in 2025. This investment round placed the company valuation near $1 billion.
The investor roster includes Point72 Ventures, Bain Capital Ventures, NYCA, Interactive Brokers, SoFi, Apollo, and Tastytrade. Company leadership describes the platform as enabling embedded crypto capabilities for clients while eliminating the need for separate compliance infrastructure. The charter application represents an expansion strategy for regulated stablecoin services.
The OCC has previously granted conditional charter approvals to other digital asset companies. December 2025 saw conditional approvals issued to Circle, Ripple, BitGo, Fidelity Digital Assets, and Paxos. Early 2026 brought additional preliminary approvals for entities affiliated with Stripe and Crypto.com.
Traditional banking industry organizations have expressed reservations regarding crypto-focused federal charters. The American Bankers Association and Independent Community Bankers of America have requested careful regulatory consideration. The OCC maintains an ongoing review of ZeroHash’s application with no announced decision timeline.
Get 3 Free Stock Ebooks
Discover top-performing stocks in AI, Crypto, and Technology with expert analysis.
- Top 10 AI Stocks - Leading AI companies
- Top 10 Crypto Stocks - Blockchain leaders
- Top 10 Tech Stocks - Tech giants
